Prisons or Problem-Solving: Does the Public Support Specialty Courts?

ABSTRACT

Recently, “problem-solving” courts have been developed as an alternative to imprisonment. They are often called “specialty” courts because they process and divert into treatment programs offenders who are seen as different from the general criminal population, such as those with mental health or drug problems, those who are homeless or veterans, and those who engage in domestic violence. Based on a 2017 national survey of 1,000 respondents, the current study examines overall public support for rehabilitation as a goal of corrections and then focuses specifically on support for different types of specialty courts. The analysis reveals that the American public endorses not only the rehabilitative ideal but also the use of problem-solving courts. Further, with only minimal variation, strong support for these courts appears to exist regardless of political orientation and sociodemographic characteristics.     

What do forensic analysts consider relevant to their decision making?

In response to research demonstrating that irrelevant contextual information can bias forensic science analyses, authorities have increasingly urged laboratories to limit analysts' access to irrelevant and potentially biasing information (Dror and Cole (2010) [3]; National Academy of Sciences (2009) [18]; President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2016) [22]; UK Forensic Science Regulator (2015) [26]). However, a great challenge in implementing this reform is determining which information is task-relevant and which is task-irrelevant. In the current study, we surveyed 183 forensic analysts to examine what they consider relevant versus irrelevant in their forensic analyses. Results revealed that analysts generally do not regard information regarding the suspect or victim as essential to their analytic tasks. However, there was significant variability among analysts within and between disciplines. Findings suggest that forensic science disciplines need to agree on what they regard as task-relevant before context management procedures can be properly implemented. The lack of consensus about what is relevant information not only leaves room for biasing information, but also reveals foundational gaps in what analysts consider crucial in forensic decision making.     

论我国征收立法中公共利益的规范模式

“公共利益”是启动征收程序的前提性要件。在公共利益的规范模式上,我国物权法应采折衷主义立法例,不应明文禁止商业征收,但应明文规定公共利益的决策和形成机制,并建立相应的行政和司法救济途经。     

建国初期陕西旧有学校的接管与改造

接管旧有的教育是中国新民主主义革命的一项重要任务。建国初期,陕西省完成了接管旧的公立学校、接收私立学校、接办教会学校,为建立陕西省社会主义的新教育奠定了基础。     

对新公共管理的几点反思

新公共管理是公共行政在新形势下的发展，它的一些理论和方法是值得我们借鉴的。但是，新公共管理是否能够成为一门独立的新学科，政府和政府官员是否是利己的，政府是否一定低效以及顾客导向等理论，是值得深入研究的。     

美国的公共服务改革及其启示

公共服务民营化是美国近年来公共服务改革的核心措施。从美国的经验来看,能否处理好民营化与竞争、民营化与社会公正、民营化与公众安全的关系,以及民营化与政府监管的关系直接关系到公共服务改革的成效。     

论新课程观下的数学教师素质

教师素质是直接影响课程实施的重要因素。因而对新课程观下数学教师应具备的政治素质、专业素质、创新意识、信息技术等方面进行较深入地探讨十分必要。     

论过失危险行为应当犯罪化

传统的过失犯罪都是实害犯,而随着科技的迅猛发展和现代化器械的广泛应用,过失犯罪危险化已受到学者的关注,本文论证了过失危险行为犯罪化的理论基础不仅仅是主观过错,更在于其所具有的社会危害性;过失危险行为犯罪化的现实意义在于实现刑罚的目的。另外,过失危险行为犯罪化只应存在于危害公共安全的犯罪中,在设置刑罚时应遵循谦抑原则。     

信息语境下的侦查路径分析

社会分工条件下侦查主体面临着信息成本无限扩张与侦查能力相对有限之间的矛盾,社会变迁及科技发展为侦查主体加强对个体信息的渗透提供了无限可能,但这种可能性受到私权的严格限制。信息交易为侦查主体提供了一种新的低代价的信息获取渠道。